Tag Archives: science

Learning Resources for June

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june_clipart Wow, June already!  Here’s a great resource list for learning (and teaching, too) all through the month.  I’ll be updating the themes and daily specials with more resources as we go along, so check back.  And, if you have special day resource favorites, be sure to let me know and I’ll edit them in!

BIG List of Special Days in June, 2015 https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/05/28/special-days-in-june-2015/

June’s Prayer Calendar for Children – http://cherigamble.com/2015/05/28/june-2015-prayer-calendar-for-children/

Resource Links for Learning from June’s Calendar http://www.se7en.org.za/se7ens-june

Elementary Resources for June’s Holidays – http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

Summer Themed Bible Based Resources and Activities – http://www.christianitycove.com/

June Theme Vocabulary Word Lists –

http://myvocabulary.com/index.php?dir=general&file=search_result

Daily Writing Prompts for June – http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/june/

June Themed Arts and Crafts – http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/june.shtml

June and Summer Themed Math Lessons – http://www.yummymath.com/

Stargazer’s Guide to June – http://farmersalmanac.com/astronomy/2015/05/25/stargazers-guide-to-june-2015/

15 Things To Do In June – http://diyhomeschooler.com/15-things-to-do-in-june-2015/

June Science Calendar – http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/june-2015-science-calendar/

June Themes

  • Adopt a Cat – Learning Resources and Activities

http://www.franw.com/2014/08/domesticated-cats-resource-page.html

  • Audio Book Appreciation – Huge Collection of Free Audio Books

http://www.loyalbooks.com/

  • Child Vision – How does vision happen? Video, articles, and quiz

http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/eyes-movie.html?tracking=59983_B

  • Effective Communication  –   Free Communication Course with Simulations

http://www.e-learningforlife.org/Courses/EK-8057/8057start.html

  • Okra – Make an Okra Stamp –

Stamping with Okra…Yes, Okra!

  • Skyscraper – Learning Resources –

Resources For Learning About Skyscrapers

Statehood Anniversaries

  • Kentucky – June 1, 1792
  • Tennessee – June 1, 1796
  • Arkansas- June 15, 1836
  • West Virginia – June 20, 1863
  • New Hampshire – June 21, 1788
  • Virginia – June 25, 1788

States Facts, History, and Videos – http://www.history.com/topics/us-states

Presidents with June Birthdays

  • George H.W. Bush – June 12, 1924

Learning and Review Resources for all presidents – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

June 2015 Daily Specials

June 1 – Sun Safety Week begins * – Facts, Resources, and Tips – http://www.sunsafetyalliance.org/

June 1 – Volunteers Week begins – Easy Volunteering Activities for Kids – http://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/quick-easy-crafts/easy-volunteer-activities-for-kids.htm

June 2 – Business Etiquette Week begins – How to conduct your business by showing respect and consideration – http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/business-etiquette.html

June 3 – Egg Day – Experiments, Facts, and Resources – http://www.franw.com/2012/04/bird-eggs.html

June 4 – Aesop born – Learning Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/06/04/story-telling-with-aesops-fables/

June 5 – 1st Hot Air Balloon Flight 1783 – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/05/hot-air-balloons/

June 6 – Yo-Yo Day – Check out this yo-yo video series – http://www.monkeysee.com/play/1079-how-to-yo-yo

June 7 – Daniel Boone Day – Learning Resources https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/10/22/daniel-boone/

June 7 – Chocolate Ice Cream Day – Resources and Activities http://www.franw.com/2011/07/ice-cream.html

June 8 – Inventor Frank Lloyd Wright born 1867 – Learning Resources and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/08/17/aviation-week-learning-resources/

June 8 – World Oceans Day – Celebration and Activity Ideas – http://www.worldoceansday.org/

June 9 – Donald Duck debut 1934 – Watch The Wise Little Hen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5dowCyaP7I

June 11 – Great Barrier Reef Discovery 1770 – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/11/reef/

June 14 – Flag Day – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/14/flag-day/

June 16- Mathematician M.C. Escher born 1898 – Learning Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/17/mathematical-art/

June 19 – Garfield’s (the cartoon cat) birthday – Learning Resources and Activities- https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/19/garfield-the-cat-not-the-president/

June 19 – Scientist Blaise Pascal born 1623 –  Learning Resources and Activities for Pascal and His Triangle – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2015/06/18/blaise-pascal/

June 21 – Father’s Day – Crafts, Printables, and Recipes http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschool-lesson-plans/fathers-day/

June 24-Fairy Day and UFO Day – Learning Resources for Both – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/24/faries-vs-aliens/

June 25 – Log Cabin Day – Learning Resources – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/25/log-cabin/

June 26 – Velocipede (bicycle) patented 1819 – Bicycle Facts, Safety, and Activities https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/26/bicycle-lessons/

June 27 – Great American Backyard Campout – Resources and Activities – https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/22/the-great-american-backyard-campout/

Happy June Learning!

betty jo

Penguins

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I was going over the Special Days in January list with my boys and J got excited when he saw that “Penguin Awareness Day” was coming up Jan. 20.  J is my kid who hardly ever gets excited about anything “school”.  I wasn’t planning for a science/research study this week, but his excitement over penguins inspired me to plan a penguin study anyway.  Below are the resources we found to incorporate the topic of penguins over several subjects and for all of our learning levels.  I apologize for the few links that didn’t highlight in blue.  I’m not sure what my technical difficulty is about, but I’m working on getting those fixed.  Until then, you will need to copy and paste those links into your browser search bar.

Penguin Vocabulary Glossary  –  http://www.penguinscience.com/education/glossary.php

Penguin Information, Facts, Conservation, Photos – http://www.penguins-world.com/

Wonderful Mr. Rogers Neighborhood episode where he visits with penguins  –   http://pbskids.org/rogers/video_penguins.html

Video Footage taken from cameras strapped to the backs of Adélie penguins in waters off the coast of Antarctica –  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2266392/The-astonishing-penguin-cam-video-reveals-ruthless-hunting-penguins-are.html

Kid friendly list and links to penguins featured in news articles –  http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/search.shtml?v=&s=penguins

Cute  Robotic Rovers Disguised as Penguin Chicks – article and video –  http://www.livescience.com/48613-cute-robots-spy-on-penguins.html

See What a Penguin Looks Like Inside – skeletal, respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems –   http://www.pinguins.info/Engels/Anatomiemap_eng.html  (This is one of the links that didn’t highlight.  It’s a great resource and worth the time to copy and paste the link.)

 These are our library finds!
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Mr. Popper’s Penguins resources  –  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/poppers_penguins.php

Penguin resources in the Polar Animal Unit Study –  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/polar_animals_lapbook.php

More Penguin Resources and Videos –  http://www.franw.com/2015/01/penguin-resources.html

Complete Penguin Teacher Guide in PDF –  http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/teacher_resources/classroom_resources/teacher_guides/penguin_teacher_guide/index.php

Penguin Themed Math Lessons  –  http://www.mathwire.com/themes/themepen.html

Penguin Activities, Coloring Sheets and Word Puzzle Printables  –  http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/penguins/activities.htm

Penguin Themed Writing Paper Printables –   http://www.teacherfiles.com/resources_bp_animals.htm

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/penguins-writing-paper

Penguins – Designed by God – article –  https://answersingenesis.org/birds/penguins/

Bible wisdom demonstrated by penguins!  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

“9 Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.”

Doesn’t this passage make you think of Antarctica?

Psalm 147:16-17
“16 He spreads the snow like wool
    and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?”

Interactive Penguin Games  –  http://penguingamesonline.com/

Penguin Jokes and Riddles  –  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/jokes/animals/penguin.shtml

Step-By-Step How to Draw a Penguin Instructions –  http://www.howtodrawanimals.net/how-to-draw-a-penguin

Egg Carton Penguin Craft  –   http://patchworkparent.blogspot.fr/2013/07/penguins-join-party_8.html

Penguin Cupcakes  –  http://foodnfemininity.blogspot.com/2011/11/penguin-cupcakes.html

Frozen Banana Penguins  –  http://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/blog/2014/06/party-food/kids-party-food-frozen-banana-penguins

Even though we are just beginning our penguin study , I can tell by the resources and our enthusiasm that it’s going to be great!

betty jo

Learning Resources for Special Days in January, 2015

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january_3499cThere are many learning opportunities using January’s calendar!

Below is a collection of online learning resources for January studies.  A big “Thank You” to all   (social media group members and blogging friends)  who are sharing your resources.  We wouldn’t have a list like this without a lot of help!  This month has grown to have a resource for almost every day!

Special Days in January  –  List of January 2015 themes, holidays, and historic dates  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/12/30/special-days-in-january-2015/

January Prayer Calendar  –  http://cherigamble.com/2014/12/29/january-2015-prayer-calendar-for-children/

January Writing Prompts  –  http://www.theteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/january/

January Science Calendar  –  http://thehomeschoolscientist.com/january-2015-science-calendar-2/#.VKjAVXuP_sg

January Themed Math  –  http://www.yummymath.com/

January Themed Coloring and Activity Printables  –  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/

Snow is a wonderful study theme for January.  This was one of our family’s favorites!  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/07/snow-week/

President’s With January Birthdays  – This is how we study/review the presidents https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/02/14/resources-for-presidents-day/

  •  Millard Fillmore born Jan. 7, 1800
  • Richard Nixon born Jan. 9, 1913
  • Wm. McKinley born Jan. 29, 1843
  • Franklin Roosevelt born Jan. 30, 1882

More January Birthdays –  Read biographies, printables, and online activities  –  http://gardenofpraise.com/index.htm

  • Isaac Newton  –  Jan. 4, 1693
  • Joan of Arc  –  Jan. 6, 1412
  • Albert Schweitzer  –  Jan. 14, 1875
  • Ben Franklin  –  Jan. 17, 1706
  • Mozart  –  Jan. 27, 1756

Resources for January’s Daily Specials:

1  –  New Year’s  –  Learning Resources  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/12/31/learning-resources-for-new-years/

3  –  J.R.R. Tolkien Day  –  Read about the author, book reviews, events,  and more from his fan club, The Tolkien Society  –  http://www.tolkiensociety.org/

4  –  Jacob Grimm 1785  –  Read Brothers Grimm fairy tales  –  http://www.familymanagement.com/literacy/grimms/grimms-toc.html

5  –  Bird Day  –  Make one or more of these bird feeders  http://happyhooligans.ca/32-homemade-bird-feeders/  and learn some bird calls  http://www.enature.com/birding/audio.asp

6  –  Bean Day  –  Bean resources and activities  – http://www.franw.com/2015/01/bean-resources.html

7  –  Old Rock Day  –  Find geology facts, experiments, and games –  http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/geology.html

8  –  Joygerm Day  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/08/happy-joygerm-day/

9  –  Static Electricity Day  –  This is Z’s all time favorite experiment  –  http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/staticroll.php

11  –  Grand Canyon National Monument dedicated 1908  –  Take a virtual tour  –  http://www.grandcanyonvirtualtour.com/

13  –  Poetry Break Day  –  Reading and Writing Poetry resources  –  http://42explore.com/poetry.htm

16  –  Appreciate a Dragon Day  –  Fast Facts and resource links  –  http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/13-categories/animals/439-dragons.html

18  –  Winnie the Pooh Day  –  http://www.just-pooh.com/

19  –  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/17/teaching-resources-for-martin-luther-king-day/

19  –  Edgar Allan Poe born 1809  –  Research Project  –  http://www.franw.com/2013/10/edgar-allan-poe-research-project.html

20  –  Draw a Dinosaur Day  –  Try  these step-by-step instructions  –  http://www.dragoart.com/google_search.php?cx=partner-pub-6207428572838690%3A2440456717&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=dinosaur

21  –  Squirrel Appreciation Day  –  Huge list of unit study resources  –  http://lastingthumbprints.com/free-squirrel-resource-unit/

23  –  Handwriting Analysis Week begins  –  Learn about the forensics analysis of handwriting  –  http://science.howstuffworks.com/handwriting-analysis.htm

24  –  Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day  –  How about a Yosemite Sam cartoon?  –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO4JcgD3vq0

25  –  Burns Night  –  Robert Burns born 1759  –  http://activityvillage.co.uk/burns-night

25  –  Super Bowl  –  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2014/01/31/the-winter-olympic-games-but-first-the-super-bowl/

26  –  Australia Day  –   http://activityvillage.co.uk/australia-day

27  –  Author Lewis Carrol born 1832  –  Study guide for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland  – http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/alice/

29 –  Patriot Thomas Paine born 1737  –  Watch the Common Sense episode of Liberty’s Kids –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awlBeITstkE

30  –  Yodel For Your Neighbors Day  –  How to Yodel Instructions, Videos, and some historic facts  –  http://wordbone.com/learn/how-to-yodel-instructions-for-beginners-kids-and-celebrity-singers/

31  –  Inspire Your Heart With Art Day  –  When looking for an art project, this is my usual “go to” site.  No matter what subject you’re studying, this link has something to tie art in with it!  –  http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/craftsbytheme.html

And remember to check out what’s available at your local libraries.  Ours usually has  themes for reading contests, and book suggestions.  We picked up 2 bags of books to go along with our first couple of weeks of Special Days in January studies.

Happy January Learning!

betty jo

Learning Resources for New Year’s

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It’s been a wonderful holiday break from homeschooling for us, but it’s time to get back into the swing of lessons and learning.   New Year’s celebrations will be our last lesson focus of 2014 as well as our first lesson focus of 2015.  Below are the online resources we’ll be using for our study.

New Year Countdown Interactive Map  –  http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/newyearmap.html

Traditions, recipes, games, poetry, and how to say “Happy New Year” from Around the World  –   http://www.fathertimes.net/traditions.htm

And Year Review and Resolution printables  http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2014/12/free-family-new-years-resolution-printable.html

And New Year’s themed art and craft ideas  http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/newyearscraftsactivitieskids.html

A hands-on Bible Study with a New Year’s object lesson and playdough  http://www.christianitycove.com/new-years-lesson-committing-to-gods-hands/6281/

Times Square Ball math lesson  –  http://www.yummymath.com/2014/evolution-of-the-times-square-ball/

Photos of Celebrations Around the World  –  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/31/photos-new-years-world_n_6402768.html

How to Make Fireworks is an interesting science article and with the noises we’re hearing from around our neighborhood, an appropriate New Year’s science lesson  –  http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/brainstuff/how-to-make-fireworks.htm

The top news/current events from 2014  –  http://www.ourlittleearth.com/

Wishing you a wonderful year of learning!  Happy 2015!

betty jo

Thanksgiving – Been There, Done That

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As we move along on our “special days” studies through November, I see Thanksgiving looming coming up in the not so distant future.  I thought seriously about not teaching Thanksgiving lessons this year.   How could I not want to teach Thanksgiving?  We’ve always had wonderful Thanksgiving lessons in November.  Yes, that’s it.  For 17 years – 17 Novembers, I’ve been teaching a week or two or three of Thanksgiving.  The who, what, when, why, and how of those Mayflower pilgrims and the natives that they encountered, Lincoln’s proclamation to make a Thanksgiving holiday,  Bible studies that focus on giving thanks and gratitude, nutritional studies of squash, pumpkins, turkeys, sweet potatoes, and corn, Thanksgiving celebrations around the world, tons of cooking projects, and craft activities to go along with it all – we’ve been there and done that over and over again.

In addition to my grumpy mood about Thanksgiving lessons,  our primary history focus of the year is Modern World History so the Pilgrim/Indian theme just doesn’t seem to fit or apply.   I look over the recent additions to our timeline and see WW1, the stock market crash of 1929, WW2 – hard and fearful times, but still were thankful times, too.  Hmmm …

Below are some of the online resources we’ll be using as we begin a new Thanksgiving  study with a modern history twist, and the cure for my Thanksgiving lesson planning grumpiness.  I’m actually getting excited about these lessons now!

During WW1, food was rationed and that had quite an impact on that Thanksgiving dinner.  This article does a terrific job explaining American Thanksgiving during WW1.   I love the photos of the newspaper ads from 1917 and 1918.   http://blog.genealogybank.com/rationing-thanksgiving-dinner-during-world-war-i.html

And what of the troops on Thanksgiving 1918?  Read about the football, feasts, and entertainment the Red Cross planned in this old Stars and Stripes magazine article  http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/Thanksgiving_in_WW1_France#.VGRLisnbGi0

Macy’s Department Store held their first parade in 1924.  Read about the history of this famous parade here  http://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-other/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade1.htm

Watch a short video of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade history with some actual film footage from the first parade  http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving/videos/history-of-the-thanksgiving-day-parade

View this Macy’s Thanksgiving Day photo gallery from Time  http://content.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,2100160_2324105,00.html

Thanksgiving Radio Show 1935

Jack Benny Thanksgiving Radio Show 1939

 

A wonderful account of the Thanksgiving that came early  http://www.farmcollector.com/farm-life/thanksgiving-during-the-great-depression.aspx#axzz3IpQaEi9v

And more about that early Thanksgiving which became known as “Franksgiving” from this historic letter collection  http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11/unhappy-franksgiving.html

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That famous Norman Rockwell American family portrait of Thanksgiving dinner is still a popular work of art today.  But back in 1943 it was a political statement.  Find out more about that here  http://bigthink.com/Picture-This/what-norman-rockwells-thanksgiving-pictures-really-about

Details of WW2 Thanksgiving in a pdf from  America in WWII Magazine http://www.americainwwii.com/files/2012/11/thankful-anyway-dec-2009.pdf

A delightful article about Thanksgiving at home and at war  http://www.sarahsundin.com/thanksgiving-in-world-war-ii/

Thanksgiving writings from WW2 veterans along with some pictures from  Time Magazine 1940’s Thanksgiving photo album  http://www.skylighters.org/thanksgiving/

Armed Forces Radio Thanksgiving Show 1944

And with that fantastic swing music, some Charleston and Swing Dance instructions may be in order!

 

 

 

And back in those days, math was practical and so are these Thanksgiving themed math lessons  http://www.yummymath.com/?s=thanksgiving

The common thread of Thanksgiving celebration during these times seems to be making the most with whatever resources were available and finding blessings in any circumstance.  With this in mind, our Thanksgiving Bible studies will focus on contentment.

  • Philippians 4:11-12   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
  • 1 Timothy 6:8   But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
  • Hebrews 13:5   Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Just for fun and a little about the mindset of the times here’s a  Classic Thanksgiving cartoon  playlist.  One of these is from 1933 and one from 1945.  The rest are a little more recent, 1950’s-70’s.  http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRgLrYQQYdPr9xb8HiRXaJZAWiKmp4wQ6

What about science?  How about human anatomy and the digestive system?  Seems to fit the theme of “Thanksgiving dinner”, right?

Digestive System Facts – http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/humanbody/digestivesystem.html

Human Body Interactive Map of the digestion system – http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/digestive-system/male

Label the Digestion System  printable with a vocabulary and definition list  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/anatomy/digestive/label/

This National Geographic video is NOT for the squeamish!  It is actual footage of the digestive process filmed by a scope procedure.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QYwscALNng

A little more pleasant to watch,  an animation of how the digestive system works  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwrsL-lCZYo

There is even a digestion song!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sDMVgw9d-c

Online Digestive System Quiz  http://www.lrn.org/Content/Quizzes/Qdigestive.html

Hopefully our appetites will still exist after this science study!  We have a lot of cooking and eating to do!

I wish you happy learning this Thanksgiving!

betty jo

Earthquakes

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The topic of earthquakes came up back in August when we studied skyscrapers, then again in September as part of our disaster preparedness studies. Also, the third Thursday in October is the official Great American Shakeout (earthquake preparedness observance).

Since we live close to the New Madrid fault line, and the boys were interested, we took a bit of a detour from our regular lessons to focus on learning about earthquakes.  As to be expected when the boys pick the topic of study, it was fantastic.  Below are the online resources we used as we researched, experimented, and learned about earthquakes.

Earthquakes explained, facts, and information  http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-earthquake.htm

Extensive list of earthquake related vocabulary words and their definitions http://www.brighthubeducation.com/science-homework-help/53594-earthquake-vocabulary-words/

17 Bible references to “earthquakes”  https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=earthquake&qs_version=NIV

Live Earthquake Map and Stats  From Around the World (Even now that our earthquake study is over, we’re still checking this site daily.  We’re amazed at the seismic activity that goes on everyday!)   http://quakes.globalincidentmap.com/

Information about the most severe earthquakes on record past and present    http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001767.html

How to Prepare for an Earthquake                                                                   https://thesurvivalmom.com/just-moved-prepare-earthquake/?fbclid=IwAR0zXhL63aqEkPFzwmBUd0mdiPOTibEHhaBEAFoDYCoZtcS5ZQFM3OQNlz4

I hadn’t planned on making a lapbook with this study, but Z asked if we could.  So of course we did, and it turned out wonderfully.  We made a few booklets on our own and printed off some of these resources too.   earthquake lapbook printables  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/earthquakes.php

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“Earthquake Safety” video for kids and by kids and FEMA

“Deadliest Earthquake”  Documentary (B and I watched this together without the younger boys.  There’s some disturbing images shown.)

Old Zoom video instructions of how to make a seismometer.   Ours turned out great!  http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.seismometer/making-a-seismometer/

Other Learning Resources from PBS (with grade level recommendations)  https://ket.pbslearningmedia.org/search/?q=earthquakes

Hands-on activities and projects.  One of these even involves Oreos!  Yes, I’ll buy Oreos in the name of “science”!                                    http://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/activezone/activities.html

This interactive “Stop Disasters” game was tough!  We were set up as city managers and assigned the task of building, upgrading, and educating the people on safety. We were given 25 minutes to get our city in order before an earthquake hit.  The first time through the game, we were fired!  And that was the “easy” level!                                             http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/

Richter Scale Math Lesson                                                       https://www.yummymath.com/2019/california-earthquakes-and-the-richter-scale/?fbclid=IwAR0QAPbop11AA_I7o8CsLvMcx2ZfGryCTGrYWmFqoeEXTiRscZSl0RVk7hw

We took this online earthquake quiz twice.  Once before our study and again when we were finished  (we did much better the second time)  http://www.softschools.com/quizzes/science/earthquakes/quiz273.html

And of course we had to find some earthquake jokes for J –

Q: What do cows produce during an earthquake?   A: Milkshakes!

Q: What did the ground say to the earthquake?    A: You crack me up!

Q: What is an Earthquakes favorite song?   A: “Shake, Rattle and Roll!”

Actually, not “Shake, Rattle and Roll” but this one was our song through our earthquake study

betty jo

Resources For Learning About Skyscrapers

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“SKYSCRAPERS” is one of the themes for the month of June and September 3 is “SKYSCRAPER DAY”!   Below are the links we’ll be following as we learn about skyscrapers.  This study will cover the subjects of science, math, language arts, history, geography, literature, and art.  Most of the resources will apply to all ages.

Skyscraper Day Information http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/September/skyscraperday.htm

Fun Facts About Skyscrapers http://www.factmonster.com/spot/skyscraperfacts.html  (there’s related links on the right side of the article)

How Skyscrapers Work Articles with Diagrams http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/structural/skyscraper2.htm

Time-lapse Construction Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdpf-MQM9vY

Virtual Field Trip – 360 degree Panoramic View from the Empire State Building http://www.nylocations.com/360-panorama/empire-state-building/

Skyscraper Emergency Engineering Lab Interactives  http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/skyscraper/challenge/index.html

Videos, Lesson Plans and Printable Resources, and More http://skyscraper.org/home_flash.htm

Video Algebra Lesson  http://threeacts.mrmeyer.com/dominoskyscraper/

Window Cleaning Skyscraper Math (multiplication) Interactive Game http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/math-wash

Another math lessons will be skyscraper word problems game.  I’ll make up and write some math problems on cards. The kids will be making some too.   For example, “If the elevator travels 30 seconds between each floor and does not stop until it reaches the 37th floor.  How many minutes will it take to reach the 37th floor from the ground floor?”  We’ll each be able to come up with construction time and cost problems too.  Once there’s a stack of question cards, we’ll take turns drawing and answering.  With each correct answer, the player gets a Lego block.  The player with the highest Lego Tower will be the winner.

Skyscraper Building Activity Challenge http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Skyscraper-Challenge-A-Team-Building-Activity-279407

To add a Bible study to our lessons, I entered “skyscrapers” into the search feature at Bible.org.  I was pleasantly surprised to see more than the Tower of Babel to choose from!  https://bible.org/gsearch?search=skyscrapers

The Runaway Skyscraper , written by  Murray Leinster, is a  science fiction novelette , originally published in Argosy magazine (a general-interest fiction magazine) in 1919,  now it’s a free read from Project Gutenberg  http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17355/17355-h/17355-h.htm

The Two Skyscrapers Who Decided to Have a Child is one of the short stories of the Rootabaga Stories written in 1922 by  Carl Sandburg and is a free read here  http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/carl-sandburg/rootabaga-stories-the-two-skyscrapers-who-decided-to-have-a-child/2206/

Skyscrapers are tall. “Tall” isn’t a greatest choice of adjectives for describing a skyscraper.  Here’s the link to synonyms and words related to “tall” for a grammar, writing, and vocabulary lesson. http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/tall

A Word Mining Game  will be another language arts connection.  After we have as many words made as possible from the letters in “SKYSCRAPER”, we’ll categorize them into the relative parts of speech they belong to, noun, verb, adjective, etc.  Then we’ll try to put those words together for silly sentences.

How to Draw a Cityscape http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/link/4534/1/1/how-to-draw-a-city.htm

Print, Cut, and Fold Skyscraper Models –

I’ve been on my local library’s web site and reserved a few skyscraper books  to pick up this week and while we’re out, we’ll take a close look at our city’s 2 tallest buildings – 19 stories and 10 stories.

betty jo

Aviation Week Learning Resources

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According to Special Days in August , “Aviation” is one of this month’s themes.  And, “Aviation Week” is the week with the 19th.   The reason behind “Aviation Week” is in celebration of the accomplishments of Orville Wright who was born Aug. 19, 1867.

The following links are to the online resources and activities to learn about the Wright Brothers and aviation.

A biography of the Wright Brothers along with printables – http://gardenofpraise.com/ibdwrigh.htm

Learn about the Wright Brothers. See their house and shop as well as their famous flight in Kitty Hawk, NC. with this old and brief educational movie.  http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/wrightBrothers.html

We’ve been watching some of the animated series Adventurers – Masters of Time so we’re excited to see a Wright Brothers episode  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJud1QjUvo8&list=PL608A5B35B7419A93&index=15  If you haven’t seen these before, I recommend you start with the first episode so you’ll understand the theme, then you can skip around to match them with your studies.

Aviation history timeline, projects, and more for kids –  http://www.aviation-for-kids.com/

Exhibits from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum  http://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/

Airplane parts and functions – http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/airplane.html

Victory Through Air Power – by Walt Disney – A History of Flight from the Wright Brothers to  WW2 Aerial Defense Campaigns –  (produced in the1940s, this contains some war propaganda that may seem wrong by today’s standards, but adds another historic learning element.)

 

Step-by-step instructions and videos of varying levels of difficulty for folding paper airplanes  – http://www.foldnfly.com/#/1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-2

A Bible based lesson which uses paper airplanes as a object lesson http://www.christianitycove.com/youth-bible-study-lessons-object-lessons/854/

Awesome links to aviation themed interactives  and games  http://www.2learn.ca/kids/listSciG6.aspx?Type=57

Airplane coloring pages and craft projects  http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/artscraftsideaskids/coloringpages/airplanescoloringpages.html

Airplane Party Ideas 

So often I feel that our learning plans for a week are left “up in the air” and we just follow where the week takes us….

However, this time “up in the air” is all planned out!

betty jo